Bollywood superstars have locked all festive weekends over the next year, leaving no major Friday for small films.Big film releases have become synonymous with holiday weekends. With every superstar gunning for the Rs 100 crore club with each new release, the Khans, the Devgns, the Kumar

Bollywood superstars have locked all festive weekends over the next year, leaving no major Friday for small films.

Big film releases have become synonymous with holiday weekends. With every superstar gunning for the Rs 100 crore club with each new release, the Khans, the Devgns, the Kumars and the Bachchans seem have divided the festive Fridays among themselves, although as this Diwali was an example, clash of the titans always remains a possibility.

Till recently, the divide was clear-cut. Eid belonged to Salman Khan, Diwali belonged Shah Rukh Khan while Aamir Khan made mega impact for a while with his Christmas releases.

Not anymore. With only half a dozen festive Fridays at hand and our superstars often releasing more than one film a year, clashes are bound to happen. As it did this Diwali, between SRK's Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Ajay Devgn's Son Of Sardaar. What's more, as the years roll, these big-ticket clashes are bound to get uglier than they did this Diwali.

Strong strategy goes behind the release a film on a festive date. Movies get the benefit of an extended weekend, which in turn rakes in big moolah in a shorter span time.

Films featuring superstars ride big money, and budgets are on the rise every year. Extended opening weeks help quick recovery and this is easily possible during festive weekends," says trade analyst Taran Adarsh.

Most big films are made on a budget of anything between Rs 60 to 80 crore, and they are expected to do business worth Rs 100 crore or more. Smart marketing naturally becomes vital, though it is not always a win-win situation.

"The number of releases is increasing every year. And not every big film clicks. Festive weekends provide a safety net," opines Adarsh. Entertaining content is ultimately the decider. SRK's Om Shanti Om did wonders at the box office on Diwali 2007, but his much hyped Ra.One fizzled out on Diwali 2011. Similarly the Akshay Kumar-Aishwarya Rai starrer Action Replayy flopped on Diwali 2010 though Golmaal 3, released on the same date, was a winner.

Too many releases on the same festive weekend can also spell doom. Diwali 2009 saw a clash between All The Best, Blue and Main Aurr Mrs Khanna. All three films failed.

The next 12 months or so will see every big Friday opening a mega release. Salman returns with Sher Khan on Eid after taking over Christmas this year with Dabangg 2. Independence Day will see Amitabh Bachchan in Satyagraha, though Akshay Kumar's Naam Hai Boss may also release on the same day. Hrithik Roshan's Krrish sequel is slated for next Diwali, according to the buzz in the industry.

Aamir Khan plans to release his next, PK, on Christmas 2013.(Release dates are subject to change; all figures according to industry estimate)

The buzz: Ajay and director Sajid Khan are lining up the remake of Jeetendra- Sridevi's 1983 blockbuster Himmatwala for Holi. Sajid earlier streamed the mahurat shot live on the internet, in a first of sorts. The film introduces Telugu superstar Tamannah Bhatia who will reprise Sridevi's role. Sajid has confidently claimed the film will cross the Rs 100 crore mark within a week. He recently recorded the famous song Taaki o taaki with live orchestra comprising 100 musicians, as it was done in the past.Ajay Devgn, Amitabh Bachchan & Kareena KapoorReturn with: SATYAGRAHA during Independence DayOpens on: August 15,2013Budget: Rs 50 crore

The buzz: Prakash Jha's political drama casts Big B as a social activist, said to be based on Anna Hazare. Kareena Kapoor plays an international journalist reportedly inspired by CNN's Christiane Amanpour. Ajay Devgn will be seen as Big B's son. Subhash Ghai makes a comeback on the same day with his new romance, Kaanchi. The lead cast is to be decided but Ghai has signed Mithun Chakraborty and Rishi Kapoor for pivotal roles. Akshay Kumar's Naam Hai Boss may also open the same day.Anushka Sharma & Aamir KhanReturn with: PK during Christmas 2013Opens on: December 25, 2013 (unconfirmed)Budget: Rs 40 crore

The buzz: Aamir Khan's film 3 Idiots with director Rajkumar Hirani still remains Bollywood's highest grosser. So, when the actor-director duo returns with PK next December, expectations will be sky-high. PK is said to be a satire about corruption in India, with the focus being on the education system. Anushka Sharma pairs opposite Aamir for the first time and the film might have a second hero. Aamir will start shooting for PK after the release of Talaash and once he has completed one more schedule for Dhoom 3.

The buzz: Returning as Chulbul Pandey, Salman rides huge expectations with Dabangg 2. Sonakshi Sinha returns as Chulbul's heroine Rajjo. Salman has promised a double dhamaka with two item numbers. Malaika Arora Khan will be gyrating to Pandeyji seeti bajaye while Kareena Kapoor joins the circus with a song titled Fevicol. Dabangg 2 promises bigger action and more comedy, Chulbul Pandey- style. Reports say the television rights of the film have already been sold for a whopping Rs 45 crore.

The buzz: Rakesh Roshan reportedly plans to release the new Krrish flick on Diwali and the film brings back son Hrithik in his superhero avatar. Priyanka Chopra returns as the superhero's love interest while Kangna Ranaut and Vivek Oberoi play mutant villains. Hrithik has been sweating it out for the film and was recently injured while shooting. The makers have promised a never- before spectacular for the final hero- villain showdown.Salman Khan & Angela JonssonReturns with: SHER KHAN during EID 2013Opens on: August 8,2013Budget: Rs 100 crore

The buzz: If it's Eid, it's got to be Salman Khan. Continuing his tryst with the festival after 2009's Wanted, 2010's Dabangg, 2011's Bodyguard and this year's Ek Tha Tiger, Salman is readying Sher Khan for next Eid. According to the industry buzz, Salman is set to play the role of a superhero in this film. Although heavy-duty action was initially planned, the script is being reworked to make the film higher on drama and romance given Salman's ailment, trigeminal neuralgia. The buzz is Angela Jonsson (pic left) will play Salman's heroine.THE BIG ONESFour biggies that have rocked on festive weekends.Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge

Released on Diwali 1995, the film marked the rise of Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol as Bollywood's best romantic pair lately, besides announcing Aditya Chopra's advent as a director.

Kuch Kuch Hota Hai

The Diwali 1998 release was a hit with youngsters. Karan Johar's debut directorial feature defined new-age campus romance. David Dhawan's Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, released on the same day, became a superhit, too.

3 Idiots

Released during Christmas 2009, 3 Idiots is Bollywood's highest-grossing film till date, earning close to Rs 385 crore. The Kapoor comedy based on Chetan Bhagat's bestseller, Five Point Someone, was directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

Dabangg

Released during Eid 2010, Dabanggcatapulted Salman Khan to the No. 1 position. Debutant director Abhinav Kashyap mixed retro-masala action with Hollywoodish western spoof in a small town set-up. Salman's maverick cop Chulbul Pandey has been one of the most unforgettable characters ever.

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